Gazmin says good governance, transparency and accountability now in place in the AFP

March 19, 2012 7:31 am

By Ben Cal

MANILA, March 18 - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said over the weekend that good ideals in public service, good governance, transparency and accountability are now in place in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Gone are the discarded malpractices of the past that had cast doubts on the professionalism of our Armed Forces, Gazmin told the 2012 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City.

Your entry comes at an ideal time and setting, as you are now joining a decent and professional Armed Forces, he said.

We are always delighted and possessed with great hope to witness the yearly infusion of youth and idealism in our corps of officers in the three branches of service of our Armed Forces, Gazmin said, adding you, our young officers, are the fresh wellspring of new knowledge and high principles in public service.

At the same time, Gazmin said President Benigno S. Aquino III, who is the AFP commander-in-chief, cares for the needs of the soldiers, pointing to the recent increase of combat duty pay for soldiers to P500 a month from P240 per month.

He said the President also ordered the construction of 10,000 units of affordable houses for soldiers in Northern, Central and Southern Luzon areas.

The basic necessity of the soldiers is to own respectable houses for their families, he noted.